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« American Idol
Episode Recap: The Top 10 Revealed!
Amanda Overmyer by Frank Micelotta/Fox
Hey guys! Erin Fox here again. First off, I still have no news about Nina and her baby... which means she's dealing with some seriously long labor! I thought for sure she'd have him last night, but alas, Baby Boy Hammerling-Smith is a stubborn little guy. Send lots of positive thoughts her way! Secondly, I know all about Chikezie-gate 2008. I swear he was not left out intentionally, it was just computer error… as in my computer kept crashing and I had to keep re-entering my recap (it was not a fun time at my house late last night!). Poor Chikezie was temporarily dissed, but I made sure to add him back as soon as I could.
Now, I have to admit something: I hate the elimination shows. I never watch them. I just can't stand the cheesy group numbers and bad product placement videos. But, let's hope they prove me wrong, and I'm thoroughly entertained.
We start with Ryan making a pretty huge announcement: The four mentors this year include, Dolly Parton, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Neil Diamond and Mariah Carey. Not bad! I do think less is more, don't you?
Ryan shifts gears slightly to promote the second American Idol song-writing contest. 25k were submitted last year and the best one will be sung on the finale (last year Jordin Sparks belted out "This is My Now"). Alright, fess up- are you going to submit a song?
Our first musical number is a Beatles montage that starts with David A., then one by one the other men join in. Then Brooke comes out sounding great, but is joined by Ramiele whose microphone isn't on, or she's not singing. Weird, no? Now all the girls are on the benches swaying back and forth. Ugh. But they all sound really pretty when they sing "Because." I might even have some goose bumps. Now Amanda's singing… goosebumps have retreated.
After a recap of last night's… er… interesting performances, we launch into the bottom three. Brooke, David A. and Michael are safe. The first one to the stools is... Carly? WTH? That's some b.s. right there. That girl can sing! At least the judges are outraged as well.
Ford commercial time: It's an homage to Ed Wood's old-school flying saucer movies (in black and white)… as they race off to "Should I Stay or Should I Go" in their modern SUVs.
Back to the chopping block. David Cook, Jason Castro and Ramiele are safe, and (surprise, surprise) Kristy heads over to the stools.
Now they're doing a call-in bit with fans. A woman asks if Simon would film a sequel to his and Paula's infamous kiss video... Simon says yes, because Paula's actually a good kisser. Simon, you flatterer.
Now on to Kellie Pickler! We get a little recap of where is she now (touring with Rascal Flatts… not bad, Kell) before she sings, "Red High Heels." Was she always that nasally? She looks awesome in a sassy red dress, but the song is just, OK. I do like her taunting Simon during the lyrics, "I bet you want me back now." The naughty minx (or mink as she heard it) is back!
Awwww. Now we get to see Elliott Yamin and Fantasia go to Africa to distribute some mosquito nets bought by the $76 million made during last year's Idol Gives Back. Then Elliott has a teary, sweet moment at a hospital where a local woman has given birth. The tradition is to name the baby after a visitor... meaning Elliott now has a little African namesake. Double awwwww.
Back to the results! Syesha and Chikezie are safe, and Amanda goes to the stool! Ryan, thank goodness, tells Carly she's safe. WOW, Kristy is safe? WHAAAAAAAT? I thought for sure she'd be booted. But, it's Amanda's time to leave the show. Kristy must have a secret lucky charm to have lasted this long.
What do you think?: Did America eliminate the right Idol? Are you going to miss Amanda's gravelly voice? Will you be relieved to hear non-Beatles songs next week?
TVGuide.com Power Rankings poll: The Top 11 — Who's Your Idol Now?
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Mar 19, 2008 10:50 PM
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Carly in the bottom three...what a joke. She's the best of the female singers and right up there with Archleta as the best singers on the show. This is like when they used to put DeGarmo in the bottom three a couple of years ago. Pathetic.
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Mar 19, 2008 11:06 PM
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Carly in the bottom three. WTF. Who watches the show, Deaf people?? People who hate tatoos? I don't get it.
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Mar 19, 2008 11:13 PM
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I actually liked tonight's group sing... David Cook grabbing KLC's hand to lead her to the center of the stage made my heart flutter just a little bit. I admit, I am a nineteen year old girl, and find him EXTREMELY attractive. Has anyone else noticed his orange bracelet he wears? There's an anchorman in Tampa whose daughter has leukemia, and she is a big fan of David's. When David found out about this, he asked that they send him one of her bracelets... They say her name "Lindsay Rose" on one side, and on the other side is her motto, "Do what ya gotta do." I just thought that was really wonderful of him, and he totally showed off the bracelet on Tuesday night's show. I believe he really cares, and I love that about him.
Anyway, I was pretty surprised that Carly was in the bottom three. I just started to like her in the past couple of weeks. Not so surprised about Amanda and Kristy though. I was pretty sure that Kristy would be going home, but it didn't really bother me that it was Amanda. She's been singing the same song every week as far as I'm concerned.
Loved Kellie Pickler! Loved her when she was on the show, and I'm still a fan. But then again, I'm a country fan in general. I was surprised she sang "Red High Heels" though, since that song was released over a year ago.
Can't wait for a new theme next week! I love the Beatles, but it's time for something new.
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Mar 19, 2008 11:20 PM
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Before I even give my thoughts on the show, I'm doing a major shout-out to Nina. You must be exhausted, girl. Now listen to me: Have.that.baby.now.
God bless and best wishes, sweetie. Your pal Erin is doing a great job.
Now, back to the show:
Gosh, the group sings are just so incredibly hoaky. I feel gooey.
Carly is sitting on the stainless steel stool the Jetson's forgot when they found a better planet? Blows my mind, kids.
After an amazing amount of silly filler, Kristy gets a Jetson stool. Not surprised. She does handle being in the bottom very well (like Sister Marge said "Practice Makes Perfect.") I have a horrible thought, though. What if Kristy keeps making it out of the bottom two? That means, for weeks on end, we not only have to hear the original horror, but a bonus retread, if they follow last week's plan. That must be against some law, somewhere.
Carly is safe. I really do hate Ryan.
How did I miss Amanda getting the kiss of death? She was suddenly there. Must have been the phone.
Kristy is safe! Yikes! But I'm glad Not!Janis is gone. Have fun singing to the bikers in that bar in Indiana, babe.
Having never been a fan of The Pickle, I thought she did a pretty cool job. Could just be the mama in me happy to see her babies back.
Regarding the mentors. When I was 12 I wanted to marry Neil Diamond. I've seen him in concert. He gives it his all, and I think he'll be an awesome mentor.
Having the opportunity to just chat with Dolly Parton, never mind getting her common-sense, intelligent criticisms, is mind-blowing. I hope these kids use her expertise. She's a wonder.
Mariah? eh.
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Mar 19, 2008 11:28 PM
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I want to seriously HURT whoever is voting for kristy. She has not had 1 good performance and she sounds terrible every single night. At least Amanda had a personality and was entertaining and looked comfortable on stage.
America's first bad decision was tonight.
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Mar 19, 2008 11:54 PM
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Let me start by saying "Nina you're still in labor oh my goodness!" Hope everything works out SOON.
That said, ok on to the results-so I have to say that my mouth hit the floor when I saw Carly go take a seat first! I think that maybe her fans figured that she was safe and so they failed to vote big for her...either way I was very relieved to see her safe. She's def in my top 3.
KLC was rightly in the bottom, and I wasn't surprised by Amanda but I'm not completely happy. I think that Amanda would have been more interesting for the tour and overall has been a stronger contestant than KLC. Who exactly is voting for this girl??? She must have the strongest voting bloc since the old democratic machine in Chicago lol.
I'm not sure how I feel about there only being 4 mentors this year? What will they do all the other weeks, just do their own thing? I don't know we'll see how it plays out I guess.
Oh...wow Simon and Paula-I would have never guessed they had a thing going on lol 
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Mar 20, 2008 12:08 AM
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Yeah, I would have rather kept Amanda over KLC any day, but yet again, KLC gets another week to torture all of us.
Now, don't get me wrong, I love Dolly, but does that mean we have a week of them singing Dolly songs? I don't see that going over well at all. She has a very unique voice that I don't think any of the Idol hopefuls can match.
Andrew Lloyd Webber week should be fun. I love all of his shows. That will be an excellent week for little Archuleta. Who else (besides me) thinks Carly should sing "Think Of Me" from Phantom?
And Mariah? Seriously? Do we have to go there? I can't picture any of the kids singing one of her songs and doing a good job of it.
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Mar 20, 2008 12:08 AM
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redsiren...perhaps Dolly Parton will be mentoring a country themed week, and Mariah will be mentoring a pop or 90's themed week? The same way Martina McBride and Gwen Stefani were mentors last year respectively.
However, both of those singers are SO unique that to have a week based on their own personal songs would be futile. NOBODY can sing anywhere near like Mariah, her range is unbelievably incredible (i'm not a fan of the genre direction she's taken) but she's an amazing vocal. Dolly is Dolly, and her 40+ year career is testament to her huge star factor.
Andrew Lloyd Weber week will be exciting, whether its just his own songs or all Broadway, I think that would be a really good theme for David A and Ramielle and even Carly. It would have been REAL fun to have amanda around a little longer where she would have to adapt this way, oh well.
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Mar 20, 2008 12:13 AM
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For all of you worrying about Dolly doing a "country-themed" week, please remember: the lady is a songwriter.
I know she's written a lot of songs, but my brain has cramped, and I can only think of two blockbusters off the top of my head:
The first is "9 to 5", to accompany her role in the same-titled movie, which became an anthem. I love it.
The other is "I Will Always Love You", which Dolly did well on when she sang it herself. Then Whitney Houston gave it a go, and it became a legend.
Dolly is just too cool for school.
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Mar 20, 2008 12:33 AM
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Sorry. Inadvertent double post.
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Mar 20, 2008 12:33 AM
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I agree Dolly is a living legend!
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Mar 20, 2008 12:59 AM
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Proof that the US has no taste. Now I either don't watch or Kristy makes my ears bleed again. Please make it stop. Why can't this country embrace the genre it owns - Rock? Oh, I forget - this is the crowd that made Brittany Spears a star. I get it.
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Mar 20, 2008 1:58 AM
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First, I want to say that I'm REALLY glad that Neil Diamond is FINALLY getting his due on this show. I've long wondered why people don't sing his songs. He has written some pretty amazing songs that have been covered by everyone from country to heavy metal to Elvis to U2. I thought he'd be a mentor last year to coincide with his album, but maybe they'll be pushing it now instead. I seem to recall Simon once bashed an auditioner for choosing Neil. Sometimes Simon is just a buffoon.
Second, I actually liked the Gerkin. Ryan once again made a joke about her fake boobs, but she came out and looked pretty darn terrific. She actually looked better when they were interviewing her, but she still looked good tonight. It's amazing that shes only 21. Listening to her, her voice has changed a bit and she now sounds more like Tammy Wynette than ever. She also performs far, far better than ever. Good for her.
Third, I was shocked that Carly was in the bottom 3. I guess her being Irish and the back lash from both that and her prior chances at stardom may be starting to catch up to her. She is so phony. She cried while in the bottom 3, then cried when she was safe. Did anyone else catch her "What, who me, safe, really" act? Amanda would have none of it. Then when Amanda was booted, Carly was crying some more. Once Amanda finished singing, Carly was the first to rush over to console her. Phony with a a capital F. I did take some pleasure at watching her squirm for so long, hehe.
Next, I'm surprised that Amanda went before KLC. Poor Kristy, she keeps ending up in the last 2 pairs. No way could they have faked us out with Carly in the bottom 2 this early ala Tamyra Gray when she went, but sheesh. I guess making the tour will make up for it. I just hope she looks better next week during performance night as she seems to look better on results night than she does the night she needs votes. Regardless, she's not long for the show.
And then, I'm a little sad to see Amanda go this soon, but she too wasn't long for the show. I'd have kept her longer than Syesha and Chikezie just because I like her voice and individuality more than theirs, but none of them will win so it really only mattered for the tour.
Finally, one last thing...WOW, Brooke looked great tonight! Best she's ever looked. Kinda like Gwenyth Paltrow, but hotter.
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Mar 20, 2008 2:12 AM
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Neil Diamond sang at my college graduation 6 years ago (whoo! NYU!) and I love him.
I never thought Amanda would win AI but I did hope she'd make the top 10. she definitely would be way more fun for the tour. now all you concert-going suckers are gonna be forced to watch KLC's awkward dance moves and leave with your ears bleeding.
I never really liked Pickler but she was OK tonight. I have to admit, I watched more of Supernanny tonight than this show. do we really need an hour?
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Mar 20, 2008 2:41 AM
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